Moving Again

I've been on a slight hiatis from blogging. Lots going on up here in Madison, Al. We are in the middle of another move. The house we were renting from my dad sold. So we have found another house and can't move in until next week. In the mean time we are living with my mom. Everything is in storage, etc, etc, etc. I have so many pictures to post but that won't be for a few weeks. When I get my house up and running! Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Happy Easter

Just a few pics of Easter egg hunting and hanging out with the family. It was a wonderful day spent with my family. It was truly a blessing to have my sister in town from Japan with her kids. It's been years since we've been together for Easter or any holidays. Hope and pray you all had a wonderful Easter as well.

Addison contemplating eating more smarties

Addison and I goofing off with the camera

hunting eggs

checking out her loot

look at me!

Big Girl!

A few weeks ago (right before her 2nd birthday) Addison slept in a big girl bed! She was so excited to be able to get in the bed herself. The transition has been great! Ican't believe how big she is. Potty training is soon on the horizon. Not sure how I feel about that transition! :) I guess we will cross that bridge when we get there. Look at that sweet baby!!!

Publix makes me happy!

I usually wouldn't post a picture of my groceries but this week at Publix was a good one. For those of you who shop at Publix you know how good the sale is this week. I'm so excited about all the meals I can make with these staples. Yes, I'm excited about groceries!!! :)

Total: $17.37 (39 items)
Saved: $60.37
That makes each item .45 cents each.

The Little Gym

Every Wednesday Addison and I go to a gymnastics class at the Little Gym. It's so much fun and we definitely look forward to it every week. We also had her birthday party there a few weeks ago. It was a fabulous party and Addison loved having it there. Here are a few pictures from her class.

( Bubble time)

(the high beam is her favorite)

(deciding she doesn't want to be part of the group)

(trying to climb and wishing I would put down the camera to help her)

Music to my ears!

So finally......after waiting 2 years Addison called me mama! She has been calling Michael "da" for a long time but would never call me "ma" or "mama" or anything close to it. She was capable of saying it but never would. Sunday, the day before her 2nd birthday I heard her looking for me but this time she was calling me "mama". I think I shed a few tears. 2 years is a long time to wait!

I'm So Excited....

..............I just can't hide it. So I must share with all of you out there that my sister and my neice and nephew are flying in today for a 3MONTH visit!!!! They are stationed in Sasebo, Japan and I haven't seen them for a whole year other than Skype of course. Matt my brother-in-law whose in the navy just left for the boat on a 3 month cruise so Jess and the kids packed up and are coming for their first visit since being in Japan. She will be in the same town with me just a mile down the road at my mom's house. I'm so excited for Addison to get to play with her cousins and her Aunt. Anyways, please say a prayer for my sister for grace and patience. She is flying across the world with 2 kids! :)

Mother's Day Out

My baby started a Mother's Day Out program today! She goes 1 day a week from 8:30 - 12:30. She cried and screamed as we dropped her off which didn't surprise me one bit. She never has been one to go to strangers or anyone for that matter that well. Still it broke my heart to see her cry. I had intended on taking a picture of her with her precious little backpack (thanks Aunt Jessica) but we may wait for pictures when she's actually smiling. :) So I'm sitting in my kitchen in a quiet house, couponing. The quiet is a little strange.

Bad Habits Early

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! We had a wonderful Christmas spent with family and friends.

My first bird!

This was my first Thanksgiving to host all festivities and cook the glorious 2o lb bird. It was a wonderful time with family and new friends in Huntsville. I must admit the turkey turned out better than I thought. Here's a pic with me and my bird. Can you tell that I'm incredibly proud of that turkey!!!!! :)

No words to describe...

We just had pictures taken of Addison with her cousin Emma for Christmas. Here are the proofs. Heather Swanner the photographer is a GENIUS!!

Caught In The Act!

The past few weeks I've noticed that Addison has been going back to her room to play alone! This is a very new development since we have always lived in a two story house and she's never really had a separate place to go and play. I'm encouraged how she plays well by herself and it gives me a few breaks in the day of entertaining her! So yesterday I noticed that she had be back in her room for a while and I wasn't hearing her babbling. (Always a bad sign) So when I went to check on her this is what I found....

Huntsville Update

Life has been a bit hectic since my last entry. We went down to Seaside to celebrate my MIL's birthday, moved out of my mom's house and into our new house, suffered through a double ear infection on Addison's part and a lingering cold/sinus infection on my part. Each one of these things were definitely blog post worthy but to be honest I didn't have the energy. We are just now starting to feel settled in the new house eventhough, I still have numerous boxes to unpack. :) We are so thankful to have our own space again. Here are some fun pics of Addison because well she's just so cute when she's not throwing tantrums. More on that later.....

playing in my shoes

crazy bed head

playing in my car which is a daily ritual

My 1st out of town visitor...since moving to Huntsville!

I was so thrilled to have my 1st out of town visitor last week! My dear friend Kari who lives in Nashville brought her youngest to come and play for the day. It was so wonderful to have someone in the flesh to talk to. I know that sounds kind of tragic but I seriously don't know anyone here. I am working on changing that but that's another post. I will be planning a day trip up to Nashville as soon as we get all moved into our new place. It's great that we live close enough now where I can make day trips up there to visit. Here are a few pics of the fun day.

Kari and Addison

Sweet Caroline pushing Addison!

Portland, OR

My cousin Mandy who is only 4 days older than me was married on August 8th (my 30th birthday) in Portland. I definitely won't ever forget her anniversary. Michael and I were lucky enough to be able to fly out to Portland and attend. I was glad that Michael was able to meet some of my cousins and extended family. It was a very short trip but well worth it.

Me, my mom, and my 3 Aunt's after they surprised me with a birthday cake at the wedding. So thoughtful!

My cousin Mandy and her groom! She was beautiful!

Favorite Things at 18 months old!

On my 30th birthday Addison was 18 months old, Crazy! So I thought I would share some of her favorite things:

Favorite Foods: fruit of any kind, hummus (she eats it in spoonfuls) ; steamed broccoli, any kind of cheese, scrambled eggs and turkey sausage.

Favorite Things & Hobbies: her paci; screaming at my mom's cat (poor tater) ; playing in the sandbox; pretending to drive the car (while the car is parked); trying on any shoes; coloring on anything (not my favorite); talking in her own language that I cannot understand; and the last and most favorite driving mommy and daddy crazy while looking too cute for her own good.

She is definitely coming into her own personality!

We have a place to live!

Well...after much thought and deliberation we have found a place to live. We will be moving into my dad's house. My dad and gale moved back to Texas and still have not sold their house here in Huntsville. It's much bigger and a little further out than what we're used to but it's approximately 1mile from my mom's house and we can rent! We knew we didn't want to buy because we want all of our options to be open. Overall, this is the best thing for us right now. We are so excited to have made a decision! We will be moving in the very end of Sept/beginning of October. Here it is:

Summer Weddings

We just got back from a wonderful trip to Santa Monica/Malibu, California. Michael's cousin got married and it was beautiful. We were so thankful that we were able to go. It was a great time with family eventhough, we left Addison at home with her Mimi. Next month we will be heading to Portland, OR for my cousin Mandy's wedding. Addison will be spending that weekend with her other Mimi. Two trips to the west coast for weddings in one summer is a little crazy but we are trying to take advantage of these trips for some adult time. Here are few pics of the California wedding. I have so many but I won't bore you with all of them.

hanging out at the Santa Monica pier (the weather was fabulous, it was never above 78degrees)

at the rehearsal dinner with the happy couple

at the reception with Alyson my sister-in-law

at the rehearsal dinner having a grand time